Message from past is reassuring to Crall about future

BY Molly Congdon
Gazette Reporter
CLIFTON PARK — A few days before graduation, Shenendehowa senior Katelyn Crall received an item, which she had completely forgotten about, that reassured her that she indeed is headed down the correct path in life.

“It’s actually kind of funny,” she said. “I recently got my time capsule from fifth grade at Orenda and that year I had been in my first musical — I was Ms. Hannigan in ‘Annie.’ I put the playbill in there; I fell in love with theater then. In my letter to myself I wrote — in fifth-grade terms — ‘You better still be doing this, this is so much fun.’ ”

Up until entering the high school, Crall played the role of the athlete, participating in both lacrosse and field hockey. However, when she moved out of middle school, she decided it was time to pursue her true passion — theater.

In the fall, she will head to the State University of New York at Fredonia to work toward a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater — an extremely selective program because it is almost like being a triple major. Students are intensely immersed in the world of singing, dancing and acting.

Crall’s favorite of the three is singing. “It encompasses acting as well,” she said. “You reach a certain emotional point when you sing, like poetry, it’s so beautiful.”

And to think this is a passion that patiently sat dormant during middle school days and then re-emerged at the right moment, starting to carve a career path that she craves.

Crall has completed all of her schooling within Shenendehowa.

Her parents, Sean and Sandy, are both middle school teachers and she has three siblings: brothers Jonathan, 24, who is working on his doctorate at RPI, and Thomas, 10, and sister, Jessica, 22, who graduated from the University at Albany and is now an EMT.

Like many Shenendehowa students, Crall doesn’t seem to have much time to rest and relax. Throughout her high school career, she participated in every drama and musical. As a result, she has had the opportunity to play many different key characters: Mrs. Pots in “Beauty and the Beast,” Rizzo in “Grease,” Ms. Clacket in “Noises Off” (which was her favorite show because the cast was made up entirely of her friends) and Bella in “Lost in Yonkers.”

Aside from Shen’s productions, she also was involved in many clubs, including A World of Difference, Tri-M Music Society, Mostly A Cappella and The Choraliers and even the yearbook club for a year. She was president of Mostly A Cappella and The Choraliers, Shen’s two choirs.

Outside school, Crall also will immerse herself in the Not So Common Players production of “Anything Goes,” which will be performed outdoors in mid-July at Clifton Common. She will be playing Virtue — one of the four angels.

And, as if all of this wasn’t enough of a heavy load, she also works as hostess at the Outback Steakhouse and baby-sits whenever she can. Aren’t you tired just thinking about it?
Crall can’t wait to start the next phase of her life. “I’m excited to see how I do on my own and where I can go artistically,” she said. “Be able to transform myself and have the independence to do so.”

5 questions for
Katelyn Crall
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Lord of the Rings”Q: What is your favorite breakfast food?
A: OatmealQ: What’s the summer activity you’re most looking forward to?
A: Playing outside with my dogQ: If you could have any pet, what would it be?
A: A golden retrieverQ: Who is one of your favorite fictional characters?
A: Hamlet